Real-time image processing for fluoroscopic imaging

Abstract

A method for display of a fluoroscopic image sequence during ongoing image acquisition acquires and renders a first image of a subject on a display according to a first parameter setting, modifies the first parameter setting according to an operator instruction entered following acquisition of the first image, and applies the modified first parameter setting for acquiring and rendering one or more subsequent fluoroscopic images of the subject in the fluoroscopic image sequence.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for generating fluoroscopic images, the method executed at least in part by a computer, comprising:
 acquiring and rendering a first image of a subject on a display according to a first parameter setting; 
 modifying the first parameter setting according to an operator instruction entered following acquiring and rendering of the first image, the step of modifying the first parameter setting comprising:
 filtering a sequence of fluoroscopic images each into a plurality of frequency bands; 
 modifying a gain of one of the plurality of frequency bands for each of the fluoroscopic images in the sequence of fluoroscopic images; 
 
 acquiring and processing each of the fluoroscopic images of the sequence according to the modified first parameter setting; and 
 rendering, to the display, at least one of the processed fluoroscopic images of the fluoroscopic image sequence. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of rendering comprises recombining the sequence of fluoroscopic images filtered into the plurality of frequency bands including the gain modified fluoroscopic images in the sequence of fluoroscopic images. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein modifying the first parameter setting comprises adjusting an x-ray source technique setting, wherein the technique setting includes at least one of the following: kV, mA, filtration, and pulse width. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein modifying the first parameter setting comprises adjusting (i) a dynamic range for image rendering, or (ii) image contrast. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein modifying the first parameter setting comprises adjusting image data processing (i) to adjust or compress dynamic range, (ii) to enhance detail contrast, or (iii) to suppress noise. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein modifying the first parameter setting comprises enhancing display contrast for at least one treatment apparatus of: tubing, catheters, and wires. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein modifying the first parameter setting comprises enhancing display contrast for a contrast medium. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  further comprises obtaining the operator instruction by acquiring a signal from a foot pedal control. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing a foot pedal control for enabling and disabling an x-ray source; and 
 obtaining the operator instruction by acquiring a signal from the foot pedal control. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing a foot pedal control for continuously variably adjusting the first parameter setting; and 
 obtaining the operator instruction by acquiring a signal from the foot pedal control. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing a foot pedal control for adjusting the first parameter setting to one of a set of discrete values; and 
 obtaining the operator instruction by acquiring a signal from the foot pedal control. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  further comprises obtaining the operator instruction from one of the following: (i) a gesture-based interaction, (ii) a keyboard console, (iii) a touch screen command, or (iv) a voice command/recognition. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  further comprising applying a dynamic range compression with temporal averaging to the one or more subsequent rendered images in the fluoroscopic image sequence. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1  wherein modifying the first parameter setting of the first rendered image comprises applying a multi-band spatial frequency adjustment to image data. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1  wherein acquiring and rendering the first image comprises acquiring and rendering a scout image. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1  wherein rendering the first image further comprises
 rendering the first image with simulated noise content at a first level and with simulated noise content at a second level and prompting for an operator selection of the first or second level; and 
 rendering additional images in the fluoroscopic image sequence according to the operator noise content selection. 
 
     
     
       17. A method for generating fluoroscopic images, the method executed at least in part by a computer, comprising:
 acquiring and rendering a scout image of a subject on a display according to a first parameter setting; 
 repeating the steps of: 
 (i) modifying the first parameter setting according to an operator instruction entered using a foot pedal, the step of modifying the first parameter setting comprising:
 filtering a sequence of fluoroscopic images each into a plurality of frequency bands; 
 modifying a gain of one of the plurality of frequency bands for each of the fluoroscopic images in the sequence of fluoroscopic images; 
 
 (ii) acquiring and processing each of the fluoroscopic images of the sequence according to the modified first parameter setting; and 
 (iii) rendering, to the display, one or more processed fluoroscopic images of the fluoroscopic image sequence by combining the fluoroscopic images filtered in the plurality of frequency bands including the gain modified fluoroscopic images. 
 
     
     
       18. A fluoroscopic imaging apparatus comprising:
 a portable radiography apparatus comprising: a system controller, an x-ray exposure controller, and an x-ray generator and x-ray source; 
 a digital radiography detector mechanically de-coupled from the x-ray source and in signal communication with an image processor; 
 an operator control for providing a signal to the image processor related to an adjustable parameter setting for fluoroscopic image rendering, wherein the image processor is configured to filter each of fluoroscopic images of a sequence into a plurality of frequency bands, to modify a gain of the fluoroscopic images in a programmably selected one of the frequency bands in response to the operator provided signal, and to recombine the sequence of filtered fluoroscopic images including the gain modified fluoroscopic images in the programmably selected frequency band; and 
 a display for displaying the rendered fluoroscopic image. 
 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the operator control is a foot pedal, a wireless gesture-detection apparatus, or a touch screen control. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the foot pedal has a discrete number of fixed positions. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the foot pedal provides continuously variable adjustment of image equalization and feature enhancement. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the digital radiography detector includes a wireless communication system for wireless communication with the image processor.